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Ever shared your ideas in a meeting to which the reply was,
“Let me get back to you on this?”

This statement forms the basis of most conversations in a large company.
And the reason why this is acceptable is, these big companies are tolerant of excuses.
Excuses for not being able to deliver.
Excuses for inaction.
Excuses for not deciding then and there.

Whereas you will rarely hear this at a startup. Startups are fast. They take action. Their work is outcome-based. They make decisions quickly in order to move forward, wherever and whenever necessary.
And for the same reason, large companies are so slow to move forward.

A“let me get back to you” free world can only be created if you don’t accept excuses.

An excuse tricks us into thinking we don’t have any option, even when we have many!

One day you are happy with what you have got.
You are working hard every day. You are content. You are fulfilled.
The next day you meet someone doing way better than you.

Would that hinder your contentment and happiness?
While your grass was green all through, would you be affected by the existence of supposedly greener grass?

If the answer is yes, here is a question to ask.
Did the greener side always exist and you got to know about it just now?
Or did it come up after you?

We think if we say no, people will leave us.
We will hurt them.
They will think poorly of us.

We don’t want people to reject us, and so we find it difficult to reject them.
This is why saying no becomes insanely hard.

When we say no, we say no to a request. Not to the person.

“I need help”

It’s very hard for us to accept that we need help.
We attach it to our pride, which stops us from seeking help from others.
And from books. From videos. From content. From life.

Pride makes us afraid.
It forces us to not learn.
It forces us to not ask.
It forces us to pretend that everything is in control.

But here is the reality.
Every time we ask for help, we learn.
Every time we say “I need help”, someone helps.

Pride has left more people alone, than loneliness ever will.

It doesn’t matter what we say, people will only understand it through their experiences, in their context, through their lens, driven by their biases.

Now, that might make us think, why does it even matter what we say if that’s the case?
But here’s a better question to ask:
“How can I make an attempt to be understood?”

The words don’t matter. The intent does. The effort does. Empathy does.

The treadmill is a fascinating device.
You walk on it, jog, run, run as fast as you can. Burn energy. Start panting.

But you don’t move an inch forward.
You are exactly where you were, when you started.

Here’s something to think about. Are we putting our hard work and passion into something that is moving us forward?
Or are we busy running at the same spot?

Failing the treadmill test is the best thing you can do to yourself!

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When you meet some of your friends, you feel excited. You feel pumped up and you feel cared for.

While when you meet some of the other friends, your energy gets drained. Enthusiasm lowers each time. And you just don’t feel cared for!
These are the friends you chose to be with.
You were not born into these relationships.
And since you chose them, you can also choose to get out of them.

When you take energy-draining people out of your life, you stand up for yourself. 
That’s not being mean. That’s an act of self-love.

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“Oh, you are doing such great work!”
“This is awesome!”
“It’s so good!”

We love positive feedback! All of us do.
It gives us the confidence to keep doing what we are doing.

But if we keep doing what we do, how would we ever grow?
After a point, what really helps us grow is listening to people who do not have positive feedback.
People who chose not to engage.
They will lead us to our next step if only, we choose to listen.

While it is not necessary to accept everything that people say, it is important to listen and be aware of what they have to say!

Remember that one time, when we did something wrong as a kid?
But, we decided to own up to our mistake and tell the truth to our parents?
And we got scolded?

Remember that one time, when we did something wrong as a kid?
But, we decided to tell the truth to our teachers?
And we got scolded?

And remember that one time, when we did something wrong as a kid?
But, we decided to lie to everyone?
And we weren’t scolded!

Are we doing the exact same thing to people around us?

By not appreciating someone for their vulnerability and truth, all we do is cultivate liars.